Read more about the history of Kroll at HistoryLink
OUR HISTORY
Kroll Map Company’s cartographic roots reach back to the 1870s through the Anderson Map Company and the Washington Map and Blueprint Company, making Kroll one of Seattle’s oldest continuously operating businesses. Our origins date to a time when maps were painstakingly drafted with quill pens on starched linen, images were reproduced using glass photographic plates and sunlight, and field verification was often conducted on horseback.
Kroll’s tradition of quality cartography formally began in 1911, when Carl Kroll acquired the established Anderson Map Company and the Washington Map and Blueprint Company. From the beginning, the company focused on real estate and local government mapping, custom cartographic services, and the publication of a wide range of map products.
In 1920, Carl Kroll sold the business to his close friend and employee John Loacker, who continued the Kroll tradition with his son Waldemar. From the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression to the New Millennium – the character of this small family business has remained a resilient family business. The dedication of our employees and the loyalty of our clients have been the foundation of our longevity.
From the early 1900s until 1975, Kroll operated from Second Avenue between Marion and Columbia Streets in the heart of Seattle’s old financial district. Since that time we have remained at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Cedar Street in Belltown.
In 1999 Metsker Maps of Seattle and Kroll Map Company joined to form a partnership of two historic Seattle businesses. The Metsker Map Company opened a retail store in downtown Seattle in 1950 and then relocated to the Pioneer Square area (1st Avenue and Cherry Street) for the next 20 years. In early 2004 the store was moved to 1511 First Avenue- near the heart of the Pike Place Market- and remains a destination for map enthusiasts and visitors from around the world.
Throughout our history, client satisfaction has remained at the center of everything we do. Clear communication, technical expertise, and a commitment to quality allow us to transform complex information into effective visual and spatial solutions.
Now in its third generation of family ownership, Kroll Map Company continues to build upon a legacy of exceptional cartography, trusted service, and lasting relationships. We are proud of our place in Seattle’s business community and look forward to serving our clients long into the future.
